Job responsibilities
JOB PURPOSE
To support the Practice Nursing team in the delivery of clinical and administrative services, working as part of the practice multi-disciplinary team, delivering care within their scope of practice.
To deliver and assist clinical staff in the provision of treatment, preventative care, health promotion and patient education.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE
Essential -Experience of working with the general public,Experience of working in a healthcare setting,Evidence of continued professional development,Excellent communication/Interpersonal sills,Leadership, time management and organisational skills,Computer skills
Desirable -Healthcare qualification (NVQ Level 3 or 4) or equivalent,Previous completion of the HCA Care Certificate,Vaccination certification,Experience of working in general practice,Previous Health Care Assistant experience,Experience of using system one clinical system
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
The following are the primary responsibilities of the Health Care Assistant. There may be on occasion, a requirement to carry out other tasks; this will be dependent upon factors such as workload and staffing levels:
- Undertake patient health checks.
- Support the practice nurse with health promotion programmes.
- Carry out baseline observations such as pulse oximetry, blood pressure, temperature and pulse rate, recording findings accurately.
- Facilitate routine and 24-hour BP monitoring, advising patients accordingly.
- To perform wound care dressings, urine specimen testing, nebulise patients and other clinical tasks as required.
- Support the practice nurses with the management of chronic disease clinics.
- Carry out BMI checks as directed.
- Act as chaperone as required.
- Administer Flu, B12, Shingles, Pneumonia vaccinations.
- Carry out ear irrigation under the supervision of the practice nurse.
- Carry out ECGs as requested.
- Ensure specimens are recorded and ready for onward transportation.
- Provide support during minor operations and coil fittings as required.
- Ensure all clinical rooms are adequately stocked and prepared for each session.
- Ensure vaccination fridges are cleaned routinely in accordance with guidance.
- Ensure clinical waste is removed from clinical areas and sharps bins replaced in accordance with the organisations IPC policy.
- Deliver opportunistic health promotion where appropriate.
- Identify hazards and act accordingly to promote the health and safety of patients and staff.
- Responsible for entering clinical consultations accurately on computer records, maintaining patient confidentiality at all times.
- Support and participate in shared learning within the practice.
COMMUNICATIONS AND WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
External -PCSE,ICB/JUCD/Hospital Departments/Clinics,Patient Groups,Ambulance Service
Internal -Doctors,Practice Nurses,Receptionists,Administrative colleagues,Advanced Clinical Practitioners,Dieticians,Pharmacists,Paramedics,Attached nursing teams - district nurses, health visitors, midwives, community matrons
MOST CHALLENGING PART OF YOUR JOB
To work collaboratively with the practice team to ensure provision of clinically effective healthcare to the practice population within the resources available.
PHYSICAL EFFORT
This factor measures the nature, level, frequency, and duration of the physical effort (sustained effort at a similar level or sudden explosive effort) required for the job. It takes account of any circumstances that may affect the degree of effort required, such as working in an awkward position or confined space.
Stooping and kneeling whilst undertaking assessment and delivering treatment
Driving
Standing for long periods
MENTAL EFFORT
This factor measures the nature, level, frequency, and duration of the mental effort required for the job. (For example, concentration; responding to unpredictable work patterns, interruptions, and the need to meet deadlines).
Responding to high levels of anxiety amongst patients
Continuous updating of knowledge
Intense concentration required when teaching others.
Handling and diffusing challenging interactions.
Frequent interruptions by staff, public and colleagues
Episodes of dealing with child and adult protection issues
WORKING CONDITIONS
This factor measures the nature, level, frequency, and duration of demands arising from inevitably adverse environmental conditions (such as extreme heat/cold, smells, noise, and fumes) and hazards, which are unavoidable (even with the strictest health and safety controls), such as road traffic accidents, spills of harmful chemicals, aggressive behaviour of patients, clients, relatives, carers.
Frequent exposure to bodily fluidsClients poor personal and home hygiene